Securing Water Resilience for Over Two Million People - Global engineering and built environment consultancy Arup has been appointed by STRABAG UK to deliver comprehensive design services for the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) — one of the UK's largest and most critical water infrastructure projects.

A Legacy Underpinning the North West’s Water Supply

Constructed between 1933 and 1955, the 110 km Haweswater Aqueduct is the UK's largest treated water aqueduct, delivering an impressive 570 million litres of high-quality drinking water daily from the Lake District to the North West. HARP’s mission? Replace over 50 km of ageing tunnel infrastructure to ensure a resilient water supply continues for future generations.

Arup’s Expansive Role—from Design to Digital Delivery

Since joining the STRABAG Equitix Consortium (now Cascade Infrastructure Ltd) during the tender bid in 2023, Arup has solidified its role, now specializing in detailed design across multiple disciplines. This includes:

• Water and hydraulic engineering
• Tunnelling and ground engineering
• Civil, structural & materials engineering
• MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation)
• Process engineering
• Plus integrated planning, environmental & sustainability services, programme management, and digital project delivery

Catherine Wenger, Water Business Leader at Arup, emphasized that this appointment aligns with Arup’s broader involvement in the UK water sector—particularly under the Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) investment cycle—and its commitment to sustainability and resilient infrastructure systems

A Partnership Built on Trust and Regional Value

Andrew Dixon, Managing Director (Commercial) at STRABAG UK, praised the ongoing strategic partnership:

“We will deliver this critical infrastructure with our delivery partners, focusing always on best value. In addition to working closely with local communities, we will be creating high quality opportunities for skills development, as well as long-term employment in the North West of England.”  

Project Impact: A Wider Infrastructure & Economic Boost

The National Wealth Fund (NWF) has injected confidence into HARP with a £300 million credit enhancement guarantee for Cascade Infrastructure Ltd, underpinning crucial private sector financing National Wealth Fund. Notably, HARP is the first water sector project delivered under the Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) model, designed to deliver greater value to consumers.

The project not only secures essential water services for millions across Cumbria, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester, but also heralds positive economic and social impacts—including the creation of around 1,200 jobs at peak construction National Wealth FundSociété Générale.

Societe Générale, serving as Mandated Lead Arranger and Hedging Provider, confirms HARP is an estimated £3 billion scheme, poised to commence construction in 2026 with tunnelling and infrastructure replacement of six tunnel sections Société Générale.

Long-Term Resilience Through Collaborative Engineering

With HARP, Arup, STRABAG UK, Cascade Infrastructure, and finance partners are spearheading a transformational project that will safeguard drinking water flows, bolster regional resilience, and uplift local economies. The integration of advanced engineering, sustainability, digital project delivery, and community-engaged planning sets a new benchmark in UK water infrastructure.

Why This Matters for Tunnel Builder Readers

• Tunnelling Techniques: Replacing over 50 km of subterranean infrastructure demands innovative methodologies—insights this project can offer to tunnelling professionals.
• Multidisciplinary Integration: Arup’s interdisciplinary scope—from hydraulics to digital systems—showcases modern integrated delivery models.
• Procurement & Financing: HARP exemplifies the DPC model and credit-enhanced public-private funding—valuable lessons in project financing.
• Regional Impact: A case study in how infrastructure projects can unlock job creation, skills deployment, and long-term community benefits.